BEHIND THE CURTAIN: BROADWAY'S LIVING LEGENDS » Podcast

This Week: Evan Hansen needs to do laundry, debating the baseball glove song, Rob's new shower playlist, Rob toots his horn, directorial tips from Susan H Schulman, James Lipton returns, Savage AF with actors, Rob defends directors, the celebration of British theatre, connecting global audiences, Audra McDonald needs some rain, JAY Records and John Yap return, and celebrating Jones & Schmidt. Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

On January 29th, 2018, we lost our 37th guest, Rick McKay. We always wanted Rick as a guest but we didn’t put him at the top of our list because he was so young and we thought “Oh, we got plenty of time.” Well, to paraphrase The Secret Garden, how could we ever know? Rick was one of our show’s biggest supporters and immediately ingratiated himself to us when he opened our studio door and said “Now, which one of you loves Joyce DeWitt?” His work on Broadway The Golden Age is astounding and we so hope we will one day see what Rick had in store for the second and third part of his trilogy. In his honor, we have reposted our interview with him, which was conducted in October of 2016. We send our love to his siblings Stephen, Linda, Sandy, Stacie and Hope. Here again is the fabulous Rick McKay.

This Week: Bombshell Bernadette, revisiting Broadway commercials, Betty Bacall stars in Get Out, the reality of commercials, Kevin reveals his favorite summer stock role, Rob recounts his community theatre roles prior to the era of political correctness, recounting The York Theatre's Musicals in Mufti, the comedy team of Charles Nelson Reilly & Robert Morse, a Golden Age KiKi, Kevin hordes his records,celebrating a building, a home for diversity, the kindness of Irving Berlin, Bea Arthur sings "What'll I Do," the logic of George M. Cohan, seeking the demo of Rainbow Jones, contemplating In My Life, and the world of Charles Nelson Reilly. Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

Lift up your head, wash off your mascara, and get ready to be entertained by the original Seymour from Little Shop of Horrors, Tony nominee Lee Wilkof. While audiences are familiar with Lee's counltess stage appearances in such shows as Little Shop of Horrors with Ellen Greene, Sweet Charity with Debbie Allen, Assassins with Victor Garber, She Loves Me with Boyd Gaines, Kiss Me Kate with Brian Stokes Mitchell, The Odd Couple with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, Lee is also a familiar face on screen having appeared in Delta House, Law & Order, Private Parts, and Before The Devil Knows You're Dead and, behind the camera, as the director of the fabulous No Pay, Nudity. Lee pulls back the curtain on his career to discuss how his performance as Seymour won him a trip down the aisle, what it was like collaborating with Howard Ashman, and why Brushing Up His Shakespeare led him to tears and a Tony nomination! Also, Lee shines the spotlight on Nathan Lane, Kathleen Marshall, and Norman Lear! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

This Week: A new Favorite Things theme song? A "Change" medley. A Broadway Kiki. Kevin gets outed for his love of RuPaul's Drag Race. Shout-out to Bubba's on Ditmars. Kevin's enthusiasm for Lip Synching for their lives. Alexis Michelle and the wonderful Broadway Match Game at Feinstein's/54 Below. How do revivals alter their texts to fit modern sensibilities? The new songwriting team of Dean and Brush. What topics have musical theatre not tackled? Things get a bit political. The love of reference books. The brilliance of Steven Suskin. Rob's Frat Bro comes back. Taking a look back at Encores' Hey, Look Me Over! Kevin outs Rob for his secret love of Lucy. Lucy Ricardo strikes oil. Fred Mertz makes an appearance. In praise of Lucille Ball and Leaning In. Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

Rob and Kevin are back for another round with one of the most celebrated choreographers of the 1970s, Larry Fuller. Joining us via phone from his new home in Palm Springs, California, Larry looks back on choreographing the original productions of Hal Prince’s A Little Night Music (film), On The 20th Century, Sweeney Todd, Evita, Merrily We Roll Along, and A Doll’s Life. Larry pulls back the curtain on his career to discuss how he calmed the nerves of the First Lady of Argentina, what it was like jumping into the world of Merrily We Roll Along, and why he is excited to revisit his works. Also, Larry shines the spotlight on Mandy Patinkin, Patti LuPone, and Ron Fields! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

This Week: Happy Birthday, Robert! Robert's birthday hallucinations. Bergman's moody movies. A plug for the brilliance of Film Forum. Looking at The New Group's Jerry Springer: The Opera. When does John Rando sleep? The prophetic nature of Jerry Springer. Where is The Princess Bride musical? Praising Adam Guettel. The Light In The Piazza. Celebrating the life of Nanette Fabray. Advocation in the Arts. Ed Sullivan makes a mistake. Beethoven underscores The King of Comedy. Before DeafWest, there was Nanette Fabray. Yente the Matchmaker meets Nanette. And a very special Elaine Epilogue. Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

Grab your good friend Sweeney and snag a comfy seat on the 20th Century as Rob and Kevin speak to one of the most celebrated choreographers of the 1970s, Larry Fuller. Joining us via phone from his new home in Palm Springs, California, Larry looks back on a career that included appearances in the original productions of The Music Man, Donnybrook, Kean, Bravo Giovanni, and Funny Girl, plus choreographing the original productions of Hal Prince's A Little Night Music (film), On The 20th Century, Sweeney Todd, Evita, Merrily We Roll Along, and A Doll's Life. Larry pulls back the curtain on his career to discuss how he assisted the late, great Carol Haney, what it was like creating dance steps for the First Lady of Argentina and Che Guevera, and why a trip to Europe launched his career. Also, Larry shines the spotlight on Barbra Streisand, Patti LuPone, and Madeline Kahn! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

This Week: Kevin busts out some Le Jazz Hot, the output of Frank Loesser, Rob challenges with some Pleasures and Palaces, looking at "Baby, It's Cold Outside", political correctness in theatre, the Al Jolson of the Senior Circuit, celebrating under-appreciated Kander and Ebb, Liza wants to be serious, George Costanza skates, the man behind "Once Upon A Time", the world of character actors, the dedication to craft, and why character actors have the best careers. Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

Let us all say Solla Sollew because three-time Tony nominee Kevin Chamberlin swings by Shetler Studios to look back on a varied career that includes the Broadway productions of My Favorite Year, Seussical, Dirty Blonde, The Addams Family, Triumph of Love, Disaster, and the hit Disney television show Jessie. Kevin pulls back the curtain on his career to discuss how he was busted as a wee lad for bootlegging, what it was like creating the roles of Horton and Fester in two of high school's most produced musicals, and why he loves developing new works! Also, Kevin shines the spotlight on Nathan Lane, Ahrens and Flaherty, and Detective Beth Fowler! A big thanks to listener/brilliant artist Ray Kampf who set up this interview. Check out his work here: http://raykampf.com Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

This Week: Kevin takes a break, Rob goes to Palm Springs, the reenactment of Charlotte Rae, Professor Rob Explains Live TV Dramas, Chinese gravestones....yes, Chinese gravestones, the pop-opera that came and went, celebrating Paul Gordon, when tech holds down a process, Alanis Morissette wants to be David Merrick, The Curse Of The Show Boat Overture, The Emcee tries to disappear, and Pizza and Showtunes! Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

We're gonna whomp, and stomp, and whoop it up all night with the legendary director/choreographer Jeff Calhoun. From his days as a hoofer in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, My One and Only, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas film, to helming the Broadway revivals of Grease, DeafWest's Big River, Jekyll and Hyde and the original Broadway companies of Brooklyn, Bonnie and Clyde, and Newsies, Jeff tells all to Rob and Kevin. Jeff pulls back the curtain on his career to discuss how he befriended Tommy Tune, what it was like documenting the life of the infamous John Kenley, and why Grease '94 started with a sock-hop! Also, Jeff shines the spotlight on Dolly Parton, Laura Osnes, and Frank Wildhorn! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

Behind the Curtain: Broadway's Living Legends is hosted by director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas. The podcast collects the wit, wisdom, memories, and anecdotes of musical theatre's greatest artists. From actors to directors, designers to playwrights, press agents to general managers, this podcast is a celebration of the giants who helped shape the American Musical Theatre.

It Takes Two...well, almost two...... glorious hours to look back on the career of Broadway's favorite neurotic, Chip Zien. One of entertainment's most recognizable character actors sits down with Rob and Kevin to discuss his collaborations with Stephen Sondheim, Bill Finn, James Lapine, and what it was like to create such roles as Falsetto's Marvin AND Dr. Mendel, and Into The Woods' The Baker. Chip pulls back the curtain on his career to discuss how a lunch break from a shoe store led to his big break, what it was like meeting Bill Finn for the first time, and why he really wants to go to ComicCon! Also, Chip shines the spotlight on Dustin Hoffman, Joanna Gleason, Mike Nichols, and Howard the Duck! Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4

This Week: Kevin goes In Transit, the kindness of Bobby and Kristen Lopez, impromptu Frozen karaoke, Rob discusses the Feinstein's/54 Below reunion concert of Memphis with Chad Kimball, some Dear Evan Hansen surprises at 54 Celebrates The Music Box, Rockabye Hamlet returns, the 50th Anniversary celebration of The Happy Time, Kevin goes down under....again, the brilliance of Chris Lilley, Annie and Sandy get fired, Andrea McArdle pulls no punches, the new Miss Hannigan number, Kevin's greatest punchline, and Barbara Walters is shady. Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4